Dog handler sentenced for aiding prison escape

Despite attempting to remain upbeat before the ruling, tension and sadness were visible in Toby Young's face as she looked at her family after her sentencing on Wednesday.

Young received a final sentence of 21 months from Leavenworth County District Judge Frederick Stewart, who followed a plea agreement reached by the defense and prosecution. Jim Yoakum, attorney for Young, said the sentence was expected, which was partly why Young made no statement in court.

"I know she's very sorry for what she did," Yoakum said. "She has called it an irrational act.

"I don't think she can explain it, and we just didn't think it was necessary to make some grand statement in court today."

Young pled guilty June 1 to aiding and abetting aggravated escape and introducing contraband into the prison, both felonies, in connection with John Manard's Feb. 12 escape from Lansing Correctional Facility.

Young admitted driving Manard out of the prison in the Safe Harbor Prison Dogs van. Young started the Safe Harbor program in August 2004 and had been a regular visitor to the prison.